Sports safety screen apparatus and methods

ABSTRACT

A protective screen apparatus including a central protective screen, and a free-standing, hinged side wing. Hinged side wing may be configured and capable of being rapidly decoupled from a primary frame of the central protective screen. The hinged side wing may be readily moved from the right to the left side of the primary frame, thereby easily converting the protective screen apparatus to left-handed configuration or right-handed configuration. Some embodiments include spring biasing of the hinged side wing to absorb at least some ball impact when the hinged side wings pivots upon being struck with a ball. Methods of reconfiguring and protecting a batter with the protective screen apparatus, and an attachable/detachable ball basket are provided, as are other aspects.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/288,392 filed Jan. 28, 2016, and entitled “RECONFIGURABLE SAFETY SCREEN APPARATUS AND METHODS AND ATTACHABLE BALL BASKET” (Docket No. JVB-012), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein for all purposes.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to protective screens for baseball and/or softball.

BACKGROUND

Conventional protective screens have a bent rigid metal protective screen frame upon which a safety net (e.g., woven nylon net) is received. The frame may be hoop shaped and may be padded to protect the protective screen frame. However, existing protective screens have certain problems that make them difficult to accommodate both left and right throwers and that may present safety concerns.

Accordingly, improved protective screens are desired.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, a protective screen apparatus is provided. The protective screen apparatus includes a protective screen including a protective screen frame and a primary net, and a hinged side wing including a side frame and a side net, the hinged side wing being hinged and pivotable on the primary frame in a free-standing orientation. In some embodiments, the hinged side wing is configured to be removed from a first side of the primary frame and readily reconfigured on a second side of the primary frame.

In another aspect, a method of reconfiguring a protective screen apparatus is provided. The method includes providing a central protective screen including a primary frame and a primary net, providing a hinged side wing that is hinged, free-standing, and pivotable on the primary frame, the hinged side wing including a side frame and a side net, and reconfiguring the hinged side wing by removing the hinged side wing from a first side of the primary frame and mounting the hinged side wing on a second side of the primary frame.

In another aspect, a protective screen apparatus is provided. The protective screen apparatus includes a central protective screen including a primary frame and a primary net, and a ball basket configured to receive and hold balls attached to the primary frame, the ball basket including a rigid frame and a net attached to the rigid frame.

Numerous other aspects are provided in accordance with these and other embodiments of the disclosure. Other features and aspects of embodiments of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings, described below, are for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily drawn to scale. Wherever possible, like reference numerals are used throughout the specification to denote like elements. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front plan view of a protective L-screen according to the prior art.

FIG. 2A illustrates front plan view of an inventive protective screen apparatus including a central protective screen and a hinged, free-standing, side wing that may be rapidly removed from a first side of the central protective screen and reconfigured onto a second side according to one or more embodiments thereby readily accommodating both left-handed and right-handed throwers.

FIG. 2B illustrates a partial top view of portions of a protective screen frame and hinged, free-standing, side wing according to one or more embodiments taken along section line 2B-2B of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C illustrates a partial exploded side view of hinge components of a hinged, free-standing, side wing according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 2D illustrates a cross-sectioned side view of a stabilizing foot apparatus according to embodiments enabling reduced ball rebound and redirected ricochet.

FIG. 2E illustrates a front plan view of a hinged, free-standing, side wing according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 2F illustrates a front plan view of a protective screen apparatus including a central protective screen and a hinged, free-standing, side wing reconfigured on a second side according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 3A illustrates a front plan view of a protective screen apparatus including a central protective screen and a hinged, free-standing, side wing and further including a protective screen safety apparatus installed thereon according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 3B illustrates a side plan view of a protective screen apparatus including a central protective screen with a hinged, free-standing, side wing and including a protective screen safety apparatus according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4A illustrates a side view of an alternate protective screen safety apparatus including a hinged, free-standing, side wing and a protective screen safety apparatus wherein the hinged portion of the hinged, free-standing, side wing is set back behind the main frame according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4B illustrates a partial top view of the protective screen safety apparatus of FIG. 4A including a hinged, free-standing, side wing wherein the hinged portion of the hinged, free-standing, side wing is set back behind the main frame according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4C illustrates a partial cross-sectioned side view of an alternative hinge assembly of the hinged, free-standing, side wing according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4D illustrates a partial cross-sectioned top view of a hinge assembly of the hinged, free-standing, side wing shown in FIG. 4C according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4E illustrates a cross-sectioned partial top view of the protective screen safety apparatus including a hinged, free-standing, side wing including the hinge assembly of FIGS. 4C and 4D, and wherein the hinged portion of the hinged, free-standing, side wing is set back behind the main frame according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4F illustrates a cross-sectioned partial top view of the protective screen safety apparatus including a hinged, free-standing, side wing wherein the hinged, free-standing, side wing is set back behind the main frame and is shown in a retracted orientation according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4G illustrates a cross-sectioned partial top view of the protective screen safety apparatus including a hinged, free-standing, side wing wherein the hinged, free-standing, side wing is folded back and the main frame includes a safety feet of FIG. 2D according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4H illustrates a partial top view of the protective screen safety apparatus including a hinged, free-standing, side wing wherein the hinged, free-standing, side wing is folded back and the main frame includes removable wheels according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4I illustrates a partial top view of the protective screen safety apparatus including another hinged, free-standing, side wing according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4J illustrates a cross-sectioned partial side view of another hinge assembly of a hinged, free-standing, side wing according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4K illustrates a partial top view of the protective screen safety apparatus including a hinged, free-standing, side wing that is spring biased, such as with a bungee cord, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4L illustrates a cross-sectioned partial side view of a hinge assembly of a hinged, free-standing, side wing including bungee cord spring biasing and shown in a deflected condition according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4M illustrates a partial side view of the protective screen safety apparatus including a hinged, free-standing, side wing and including spring biasing with a bungee cord according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the protective screen apparatus including a hinged, free-standing, side wing in use during batting practice according to embodiments.

FIG. 6A illustrates a side view of the protective screen apparatus including a hinged, free-standing, side wing and also including an attachable and detachable ball basket according to embodiments.

FIG. 6B illustrates a top view of an attachable ball basket according to embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart depicting a method of reconfiguring a protective screen apparatus according to embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In baseball or softball batting practice, it is desirable in some cases to live pitch to a batter. In many cases, a protective safety screen, such as a conventional L-screen (FIG. 1), may be used to protect the person throwing batting practice (hereinafter “BP”). As shown in FIG. 1, the L-screen 102 may include a main section 103 and a lower section 105. Generally, the L-screen 102 includes a frame 104 and a safety net 106 laced to, or otherwise hung on (like a sock), the frame 104. When the person throwing BP switches from a right-handed thrower to a left-handed thrower, the L-screen will be rotated such that the orientation accommodates the thrower (e.g., right-handed thrower or left-handed thrower). This conversion is cumbersome and time consuming.

Furthermore, during BP, sometimes the batter is placed in very close proximity to the person that is throwing BP. The ball may be hit at very high velocity back at the person throwing BP. This is especially the case when the batter is advanced.

Existing protective screen frames 104 of L-screens 102 are built to withstand impact by balls (e.g., baseballs and softballs) being hit at a high velocity so as to avoid denting, bending, breaking, the protective screen frame 104. Such frames 104 are generally made of strong material, such as aluminum or steel, or other suitably-rigid material. Because of this, when a ball is thrown to the batter, and the batted ball makes direct contact with the protective screen frame 104 (e.g., an upright frame post 104U or horizontal frame post 104H) it becomes a potentially dangerous situation, because the baseball or softball can ricochet directly back towards the batter. Of course, if struck, this may cause injury to the face, hands, or other body parts of the batter. Some users of a protective screen 102 will provide padding on some or all of the protective screen frame 104 to help extend the life of the protective screen frame 104. Although this may lessen the impact of the ricocheting slightly and may lessen the ball's ricochet speed, it may not be enough to prevent ricochet back at the batter and possible injury thereof.

To address one or more of the above problems, a first embodiment of the disclosure provides a protective screen apparatus hinged side wing being hinged and pivotable in a free-standing orientation on a primary frame of a central protective screen. The hinged and free-standing orientation allows the side wing to pivot and absorb ball impact.

In another aspect, a protective screen apparatus is provided as reconfigurable safety screen that is hinged and pivotable in a free-standing orientation, and is configured to be reconfigurable so as to be readily detachable from a central protective screen and moved to the other side of the central protective screen to accommodate either a left-handed throwing configuration or a right-handed throwing configuration. This makes for a very easy transition between a right-handed thrower and left-handed thrower, or vice versa.

Another embodiment of the disclosure described provides a protective screen apparatus with a hinged, free-standing, side wing that includes a spring to provide a restoration force (e.g., a spring bias) to return the hinged, free-standing, side wing to a pre-strike configuration after being struck by a ball. The spring may provide further protection to the batter against ball ricochet, i.e., because the hinged, free-standing, side wing includes flexibility to pivot on a hinge and absorb some of the ball's impact, yet is able to return to a prestrike position.

In another embodiment, a protective screen safety apparatus may be used in conjunction with the hinged, free-standing, side wing wherein the protective screen safety apparatus includes a safety net suspended in front of, and spaced a desired distance from, the primary frame in order to absorb the high speed impact of the ball, so to avoid or minimize the ball being able to ricochet off the primary frame or portions of the reconfigurable side wing.

Accordingly, improved protective screen apparatus and methods of protecting a batter from ricochet are provided. These and other embodiments of protective screen apparatus and methods of reconfiguring a safety screen are described below with reference to FIGS. 2A-7 herein.

Referring now in specific detail to FIGS. 2A-2F, a first embodiment of a protective screen apparatus 200 and components thereof are illustrated. Protective screen apparatus 200 may be useful to improve protection of a person throwing BP, but as will be apparent, may also provide the ability to rapidly (e.g., in less than about 5 seconds), and with little effort, reconfigure the protective screen apparatus 200 from a right-handed thrower configuration to a left-handed thrower configuration, or vice versa. In addition, some embodiments of the protective screen apparatus 200 may mitigate a batter from being hit by ricochet (e.g., bounce back) of balls (e.g., baseballs or softballs).

Protective screen apparatus 200 includes a central protective screen 202 and a hinged side wing 203. Central protective screen 202 may include a primary frame 204 (shown mostly dotted) and a primary net 206 laced to, or hung on (like a sock), the primary frame 204.

The hinged side wing 203 may include a side frame 208 and a side net 210. Hinged side wing 203 is hinged to, free-standing (.i.e., not in contact with the ground when in stabilizing supports 204L (legs) are all in contact with the ground—with the central protective screen 202 in an upright operating orientation), and pivotable relative to, the primary frame 204. Moreover, hinged side wing 203 may be configured to be removed from a first side 212L (for a left-handed thrower configuration) of the primary frame 204 and reconfigured on a second side 212R (for a right-handed thrower configuration) of the primary frame 204. The hinged side wing 203 generally defines a lower portion of a hinged L-shaped screen, which is formed collectively by the central protective screen 202 and the hinged side wing 203. Hinged side wing 203 may include suitable padding in order to further reduce ricochet.

Primary frame 204 and side frame 208 may be made from multiple types of rigid tubing, such as aluminum, steel, or the like. The diameters, shapes, or overall dimensions of the frame tubing may be sufficiently strong to prevent denting or damage when struck by a ball. Primary frame 204 and side frame 208 may be about 1 inch to about 2.5 inch diameter tube, and have a wall thickness of about 1/16 inch (about 1.58 mm) to about 3/16 inch (about 4.76 mm), depending on the type of material used, for example. Other frame shapes and types may be used, such as square or rectangular.

As shown, the primary frame 204 includes a box or hoop shape, including interconnected main uprights 204U and main horizontals 204H, which generally outline a main location behind which the person throwing BP is located. However, it should be recognized that embodiments of the disclosure described herein will work equally well with other frame shapes or types. Primary frame 204 may include stabilizing supports 204L (e.g., legs) including safety feet (to be described later with reference to FIG. 2D).

Primary net 206 may be supported by the primary frame 204. Primary net 206 may be single layer net (e.g., of a nylon, polypropylene material, or the like) that is fastened (e.g., laced) to the perimeter of the primary frame 204 by fastener straps, wire, zip ties, or string, for example, or otherwise fastened to or provided over the frame 204.

The primary net 206 may be made of different strengths of knotted twine (e.g., Nylon or Polypropylene), of which some common ones are #36 or #42, but which can be much stronger, such as #96. Primary net 206 may include mesh size small enough to prevent a ball from entering, such as ¼ inch, ½ inch, ¾ inch, 1 inch, 1¼ inch, 2 inch, or larger. In addition, a central protective screen 202 may include padding 214 on some, or all, of the primary frame 204.

The side net 210 of the hinged side wing 203 may be constructed of the same material and methods as described above. The side frame 208 may be hinged to the primary frame 204, such as to the main uprights 204U, by one or more hinge assemblies, such as first hinge assembly 216U (e.g., upper hinge assembly), and second hinge assembly 216L (e.g., lower hinge assembly). However, more or less hinge assemblies may be used. Hinge assemblies (e.g. hinge assemblies 216U, 216L) may suspend the hinged side wing 203 above the ground so that the ground is not contacted, i.e., in a free-standing configuration in use, i.e., when the stabilizing supports are in contact with the ground in a ready-to-use, upright configuration as shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 5. This configuration of being suspended above the ground, i.e., with no portion contacting the ground in use as an L-screen, is referred to herein as being “free-standing.” A gap between the bottom of the hinged side wing 203 and the ground may be between about ½ inches (12.7 mm) and 2.5 inches 63.5 mm, for example. Other suitable non-zero gaps may be used.

The first hinge assembly 216U, as best shown in FIG. 2C, may include a first upper hinge component 217 and a first lower hinge component 218. The second hinge assembly 216L may be identical to the first hinge assembly 216U and include a second upper hinge component that may be the same as the first upper hinge component 217, and a second lower hinge component that may be the same as the first lower hinge component 218. One of the first upper and lower hinge components 217, 218 may include a pin 220 and the other a receiving hole 222 (shown dotted). Pin 220 may be received in the hole 222 and under the weight of the side wing 203, the bottom surface 224 of one hinge component (e.g., hinge component 217) rests upon the upon the top surface 226 of the other hinge component (e.g., hinge component 218). The first hinge assembly 216U and second hinge assembly 216L may allow the hinged side wing 203 to pivot (e.g., about the pins 220). Lubrication may be provided in some embodiments to the relatively moving parts of the hinge assemblies 216U, 216L. The hinge assemblies 216U, 216L may be fastened to the respective frames 204, 208 by any suitable means such as by clamping or welding. Although two hinge assemblies 216U, 216L are shown, only one hinge assembly may be provided in some embodiments, where the hinge components may be made slightly larger and/or longer.

As best shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, hinged side wing 203 may also include one or more frame supports 228A, 228B. Frame supports 228A, 228B may engage with a part of the primary frame 204 and limit rotation of the supported portion of the side frame 208 to a predesigned rotational deflection. For example, frame supports 228A. 228B may engage with the stabilizing supports 204L (e.g., legs) after a small angle, say about less than about 25 degrees, or even less than about 15 degrees in some embodiments.

In accordance with another broad aspect, one or more embodiments of the hinged side wing 203 may include one or more springs 230. In the depicted embodiment, the spring 230 may be coupled between a first part 208A and a second part 208B of the side frame 208. Spring 230 may aid in absorbing impact when a ball 250 hits the side frame 208 allowing the hinged side wing 203 to deflect backwards and minimize bounce back or ricochet of the ball. In the depicted embodiment, two springs are utilized and are connected at upper and lower ends to the first and second frame parts 208A, 208B, such as by insertion of the end of the spring 230 into portions of the first and second frame parts 208A, 208B and fastening therein, such as by bolts, welding, adhesive or the like. In some embodiments, lengths of the frame supports 228A, 228B may be designed to allow some limited pivotal (hinged) motion of the hinged side wing 203 until a frame support (e.g., frame support 228B) makes contact with the primary frame 204 to stop or limit the extent of the pivoting.

FIG. 2D illustrates another aspect of one or more embodiments of the disclosure that is capable of broad use on any safety screen. In particular, one or both of the stabilizing supports 204L may include a safety foot apparatus 232. Safety foot apparatus 232 couples to one or more of the stabilizing supports 204L, such as by bolts, welding, quick disconnect mechanism, or other like attachment means. In the depicted embodiment, a quick disconnect mechanism is shown. Safety foot apparatus 232 includes a deflect member 234 that is angled relative to a horizontal at a deflect angle 236 relative to the horizontal. Deflect angle may be between about 30° and about 60°, for example. Deflect member 234 may be fastened to an insert member 238 (e.g., a tube), which may be inserted in or over stabilizing supports 204L. As shown, deflect member 234 may be welded to a first tube 239, which may be secured (e.g., by adhesive or a spot weld) to insert member 238. Insert member 238 may be inserted on stabilizing support 204L and a locating member 242 may register in a hole formed in the stabilizing support 204L. Hole and locating member 242 may be on the top (as shown) or the side of the stabilizing support 204L. The deflect member 234 may be a planar member including a planar upper surface. In operation, the angled and planar surface of the deflect member 234 prevents balls from being ricocheted back at the batter, but instead defects the ball to the primary, other net, or upward. FIGS. 2E and 2F illustrate the hinged side wing 203 in isolation, and moved to a second side 212R, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a protective screen safety apparatus 345 may be coupled (e.g., secured or fastened) to the central protective screen 202. Protective screen safety apparatus 345 may be retrofitted to the protective screen apparatus 200 in some embodiments. Protective screen safety apparatus 345 includes one or more spacing connectors 346A, 346B that may be configured and adapted to couple (e.g., are coupleable) to the primary frame 204, and a safety net 347 that is supported and suspended a distance “d” in front of the main upright 204U by the one or more spacing connectors 346A, 346B.

The safety net 347 may be suspended in front of at least some of the main uprights and/or main horizontals of the primary frame 204 by the one or more spacing connectors 346A, 346B. Two spacing connectors 346A, 346B are shown in the depicted embodiment. However, other numbers of spacing connectors may be used. In the depicted embodiment, the safety net 347 is suspended in front of both main uprights and both main horizontals, as these are the most likely culprits that would cause bounce back towards the batter.

The safety net 347 may be made of the same material as the primary net, and may include a reinforcing edge in some embodiments. Reinforcing edge may be a rope border threaded through edge of the netting, a sewn material such as a sewn (e.g. Vinyl) enveloping edge, or the like. If sewn edge, corner grommets may be used to fasten the safety net 347 to the spacing connectors 346A, 346B. Safety net 347 may be made of different strengths of knotted twine (e.g., Nylon or Polypropylene), which may be square mesh, diamond mesh, or other suitable mesh shapes. Safety net 110 may be #36 or #42, but can be much stronger such as #84 or #96. Safety net 347 may include mesh size small enough to prevent a ball from entering, such as ¼ inch, ½ inch, ¾ inch, 1 inch, 1¼ inch, 2 inch, or larger.

In the depicted embodiment, two spacing connectors 346A, 346B are used to suspend the safety net 347. One spacing connector 348A, 348B may be attached to each main upright 204U of the protective screen frame 204. The one or more spacing connectors 348A, 348B may be designed to support and suspend the safety net 347 so that the safety net 347 hangs in spaced relationship to the front of at least a portion of the primary net 206 and the protective screen frame 204, such as at least the main portion of the protective screen frame 204. The safety net 347 may hang (e.g., vertically in the depicted embodiment). In one or more embodiments, the safety net 347 may be spaced a distance “d” of about 3 inches or more (e.g., in some embodiments between about 3 inch to about 20 inches) in front of the main uprights 204U of the protective screen frame 204, so that the safety net 347 can absorb the impact of a ball prior to the ball hitting the primary net 206 or protective screen frame 204, or substantially absorb the ball's kinetic energy before hitting the protective screen frame 204.

In some instances, the safety net 347 may keep the ball from hitting the primary net 206 or primary frame 204 at all. This protects the person throwing BP and also the batter by minimizing or preventing any ricochet by the ball hitting the protected portion of the primary frame 204 and getting redirected directly back to the batter. With a conventional protective screen 102 of FIG. 1, the ricochet may be at such a speed that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to avoid getting hit by the returning ball, as discussed above. Thus, injuries may be avoided by the use of the protective screen system including the protective screen safety apparatus 345. As can be seen in FIG. 3A, part of the hinged side wing 203 may be overlapped and protected by the safety net 347, such as the hinge assemblies 216U, 216L.

In more detail, at least some of the one or more spacing connectors 348A, 348B may comprise an adapter 349 configured and adapted to couple to the protective screen frame 204, and an extending attachment 350 to which the safety net 347 is suspended. In the depicted embodiment, at least a portion of the one or more spacing connectors 348A, 348B may be flexible. The flexibility may be provided by a spring member, which may comprise part or all of the extending attachment 350. In this manner, portions of the one or more spacing connectors 348A, 348B are configured and operable to flex upon being struck by a ball. The spring member may be any suitable spring, such as a coil spring, a cast or molded elastomer spring, a leaf spring, a flexible rod such as a fiberglass rod, combinations of the foregoing, or the like. Other suitable spring member configurations may be used. Spring member may have a vertical spring rate, when pulling vertically downward at the end of the spring member at the point of connection of the safety net 347, of between about 0.5 lb/in and about 5 lb/in, and between about 1 lb/in and about 3 lb/in in some embodiments. Other suitable vertical spring rates may be used. Further description of the protective screen safety apparatus 345 may be found in US Pat. Pub. 2015/0328517 filed May 13, 2105.

FIG. 4A illustrates another embodiment of the protective screen apparatus 400 including a central protective screen 402 and a hinged side wing 403. In this embodiment, the hinged side wing 403 is also reconfigurable, but the hinges are set behind the main uprights of the primary frame 404 to better protect the hinges from ball strike. FIGS. 4B through 4D better illustrate the hinged side wing 403 and the connection to the primary frame 404.

In the depicted embodiments of FIGS. 4A-4M, the protective screen apparatus 400 with hinged side wing 403 includes flexibility. The flexibility may be provided by a spring 430 (FIG. 4B) formed as part of the side frame 408, as previously described. Optionally, or in addition to spring 430, a spring member 430A may be provided at one or both of the hinge assembly 416U, 416L locations as is shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D. One portion of the spring 430A may be affixed to a second hinge member 418 coupled to the primary frame 404, such as by welding to a base of the hinge pin 420 of the second hinge member 418 of the hinge assembly 416U, 416L, or both. Another portion of the spring 430B, such as spring tab 430T may be received in a recess 451 in first hinge member 417 coupled to the side frame 408. The second hinge member 418 may be welded or otherwise secured to primary frame 404. If just the spring 430B is used, the frame supports 228A, 228B may be eliminated. The spring 430B will limit the extent of excursion/rotation of the side wing when struck by a ball. However, if the spring 430 is the only spring, the frame supports 228A, 228B may be provided on both sides of the primary frame 404 or optionally on both upper and lower portions of the side frame 408. In this embodiment, the hinged side wing 403 must be inverted to switch the hinged side wing 403 from side to side.

FIGS. 4E and 4F illustrate the details of another embodiment of hinged side wing 403A. In this embodiment, the first hinge member 417 may include additional recess 451A. In this way, the hinged side wing 403A may be positioned and stored out of the way behind the primary frame 404 when not needed, as shown in FIG. 4F. In the retracted and stored position, spring tab 430T is received in the additional recess 451A. The hinged side wing is simply lifted, rotated, and the spring tab 430T is dropped into additional recess 451A.

FIGS. 4G-4J illustrate other embodiments of protective screen apparatus 400S, 400T with hinged side wing 403S, 403T with the hinge assembly 416U being capable of being stored in a retracted, rearward-facing orientation as shown in FIGS. 4G and 4H. In the first embodiment, the stabilizing supports (legs) 404L of the primary frame 404 may include the safety foot apparatus 232, as described with reference to FIG. 2D. The second embodiment of FIG. 4H, two of the safety feet have been removed and replaced with wheeled feet 452 so that the protective screen apparatus 400S can be easily moved. The wheeled feet 452 may include the same attachment structure for attaching to legs 404L as the safety foot apparatus 232. The wheeled feet 452 include a wheel 453 and a u-frame 454, wherein the wheel 453 is rotatable about an axle (shown dotted) coupled to the U-frame 454.

FIG. 4J illustrates another embodiment of a hinge member 416U (Hinge member 416L may be identical but may or may not include a spring member 430C). In this embodiment, one portion of the spring 430C may be affixed to a first hinge member 417 coupled to the side frame 408 of the hinged side wing 403S, such as by welding to a bottom of the first hinge member 417 of the hinge assembly 416U, 416L, or both. Another portion of the spring 430C, such as spring tab 430T may be received in a recess 451 in the second hinge member 418 coupled to the frame 404. The spring 430C will limit the extent of excursion/rotation of the hinged side wing 403S when struck by a ball. In this embodiment, the hinged side wing 403S does not need to be inverted to switch the hinged side wing 403S from side to side.

FIGS. 4K through 4M illustrate yet another embodiment of protective safety apparatus 400K including a hinge member 416U (Hinge member 416L may be identical but may or may not include a spring member 430D). In this embodiment, the spring member 430D is a flexible cable such as a bungee cord. A first end 430D1 of the spring member 430D may be affixed to a first hinge component 417 or side frame 408 of the hinged side wing 403S, such as by looping the spring member 40D about the connector used to attach the first hinge component 417 to the side frame 408. A second end 430D2 of the spring member 430D, such as a loop may be slipped over securement pin 421, which has been coupled to the frame 404, such as by welding. The spring member 430D will limit the extent of excursion/rotation of the hinged side wing 403S when struck by a ball. In this embodiment, the hinged side wing 403S does need to be inverted to switch the hinged side wing 403S from side to side.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the protective screen apparatus 400 including a hinged side wing 403 in use. FIG. 5 shows an image of a BP between a person 530 throwing BP and a batter 540 using the protective screen apparatus 400 including the hinged side wing 403 pivotally coupled to a primary frame 204 of a central protective screen 202. The ball 250 being thrown by the person 530 proceeds along dotted path 555, is hit by the batter 540, and is directed towards the hinged side wing 403 along path 560. As the safety net or frame 408 of the hinged side wing 403 is impacted by the batted ball 250, it is deflected into a deflected condition (i.e., displaced pivotally towards person 530 and then may be safely redirected softly to the ground or otherwise deflected to the side. Though the image shows a pitching throwing overhand, it may also be thrown underhand at even a closer distance, which is commonly called “front toss” BP. The protective screen apparatus 400 may offer suitable anti-bounce back protection for the batter 540 for this type of BP also. Furthermore, the hinged side wing 403 may offer enhanced protection for the person 530 throwing BP as well, by deflecting the ball away from the person 530. The protective screen safety apparatus 345 including safety net 347 may provide further anti-bounce back protection.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate yet another embodiment of protective screen apparatus 600 including a hinged side wing 603. Hinged side wing 603 may be any of the constructions previously described. In this embodiment, a protective screen safety apparatus 645 may be coupled (e.g., secured or fastened) to the central protective screen 202. Protective screen safety apparatus 645 as previously described may be retrofitted to the protective screen apparatus 600 in some embodiments. Protective screen safety apparatus 645 may further include a head protector 650. Further description of the protective screen safety apparatus 645 and head protector 650 may be found in US Pat. Pub. 2015/0328517 filed May 13, 2105.

The protective screen apparatus 600 may further include, as shown, a ball basket 655. Ball basket 655 may be attachable (and detachable from) to the central protective screen 202, such as to the main uprights 204U of the primary frame 204. The ball basket 655 may include a rigid frame 658, which is attachable to the primary frame by one or more connectors 670. A net 669 may be attached to the rigid frame 658, such as by including sleeves 671 received over rigid frame 658. Otherwise, the net 669 may be secured to frame by any form of attachment means, such as string, wire, clamps or the like. Connectors 670 may be 2-part clamping members, which may be clamped to primary frame 204 by bolts or the like. However, other forms of connector may be used. For example, the connector may be welded to the primary frame 204 in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the ends of the rigid frame 658 may be inserted into pockets 670P formed in the connectors 670 so that the net 669 may be readily detachable. In the depicted embodiment, the frame 658 is shown as two individual rigid (e.g., steel, aluminum or other) rods. However, frame 658U may have a U-shape in some embodiments. Net 669 may include a rope border 674 at one or more locations or may include a rigid frame entirely along and supporting all edges of the net 669.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 7 illustrates a method 700 of protecting a batter according to one or more embodiments. The method 700 includes, in 702, providing a protective screen (e.g., protective screen apparatus 200) including a protective screen frame (e.g., protective screen frame 204) and a primary net (e.g., primary net 206), and in 704, pivotally coupling a hinged, free-standing, side wing (e.g., hinged, free-standing, side wing 203) to the protective screen frame.

The method 700 includes, in 706, minimizing bounce back of a ball from the hinged, free-standing, side wing (e.g., hinged side wing 203) through pivoting of the free-standing hinged side wing. In some embodiments, the hinged side wing 203 includes spring biasing to absorb shock and to return the hinged side wing 203 to a pre-strike condition.

While embodiments of the invention are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific apparatus and system embodiments and methods thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular apparatus, systems, or methods disclosed, but, to the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the claims. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A protective screen apparatus, comprising: a central protective screen including a primary frame and a primary net; and a hinged side wing including a side frame and a side net, the hinged side wing being hinged and pivotable on the primary frame in a free-standing orientation.
 2. The protective screen apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hinged side wing is configured to be removed from a first side of the primary frame and reconfigured on a second side of the primary frame.
 3. The protective screen apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hinged side wing includes a spring bias at times relative to the primary frame.
 4. The protective screen apparatus of claim 3, wherein the spring bias is provided after a certain portion of free rotation relative to the primary frame.
 5. The protective screen apparatus of claim 3, wherein the spring bias positions the hinged side wing at a first rotational position, and provides a relatively larger spring bias as the hinged side wing is pivoted to a second rotational position.
 6. The protective screen apparatus of claim 3, wherein the hinged side wing is initially positioned in a first rotational position, and is pivotable to a second rotational position upon being struck by a ball.
 7. The protective screen apparatus of claim 3, wherein the spring bias is provided by a bungee cord.
 8. The protective screen apparatus of claim 1, comprising a first hinge assembly including a first upper hinge component and a first lower hinge component.
 9. The protective screen apparatus of claim 8, comprising a second hinge assembly including a second upper hinge component and a second lower hinge component.
 10. The protective screen apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hinged side wing includes anti-rotation supports configured and operable to limit an extent of pivoting of the hinged side wing.
 11. The protective screen apparatus of claim 1, comprising a first hinge assembly and second hinge assembly and wherein each assembly includes a vertically oriented pin.
 12. The protective screen apparatus of claim 1, comprising a safety apparatus including: one or more spacing connectors adapted to be coupled to the primary frame; and a safety net supported by the one or more spacing connectors and configured to be positioned adjacent to the central protective screen but spaced therefrom, the safety net configured and adapted to prevent bounce back of a ball from the primary frame.
 13. The protective screen apparatus of claim 1, wherein the central protective screen includes support legs and at least some of the support legs include an anti-bounce back feature comprising an angled end cap that includes an angled planar surface.
 14. The protective screen apparatus of claim 13, wherein the anti-bounce back feature is removable from the support legs.
 15. The protective screen apparatus of claim 1, wherein the primary frame includes removable wheels.
 16. The protective screen apparatus of claim 1, comprising a ball basket configured to receive and hold balls including a rigid frame and a net attached to the rigid frame.
 17. The protective screen apparatus of claim 16, wherein the ball basket if attachable and detachable from the primary frame.
 18. A method of reconfiguring a protective screen apparatus, comprising: providing a central protective screen including a primary frame and a primary net; providing a hinged side wing that is hinged, free-standing, and pivotable on the primary frame; and reconfiguring the hinged side wing by removing the hinged side wing from a first side of the primary frame and mounting the hinged side wing on a second side of the primary frame.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the hinged side wing comprises a side frame and a side net.
 20. A protective screen apparatus, comprising: a central protective screen including a primary frame and a primary net; and a ball basket configured to receive and hold balls attached to the primary frame, the ball basket including a rigid frame and a net attached to the rigid frame. 